The New York Hydropathic and Physiological School founded by

Russell Thacher Trall Russell Thacher Trall (August 5, 1812 – September 23, 1877) was an American physician and proponent of hydrotherapy, natural hygiene and vegetarianism. Trall authored the first American vegan cookbook in 1874. Biography Trall was born in V ...

on October 1, 1853 at 15 Laight Street, in New York City was a hydropathic and medical school known for its advocacy of natural therapies and

vegetarianism Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat (red meat, poultry, seafood, insects, and the flesh of any other animal). It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of animal slaughter. Vegetarianism may ...

History

The New York Hydropathic and Physiological School is chiefly notable today as one of the first medical schools in the United States to admit women candidates for the Doctor of Medicine degree. New England Female Medical College in Boston was the first, opening its doors in 1848. In 1855 the school graduated 50 physicians, "...about half of which were women." By an act of the New York State Legislature in 1857 the school's name was changed to New York Hygeio-Therapeutic College and the school was authorized to confer the degree of Doctor of Medicine.Weiss, Harry Bischoff; Kemble, Howard R. (1967). ''The Great American Water-Cure Craze: A History of Hydropathy in the United States''. The Past Times Press. p. 37, p. 82 In 1858, the school graduated another 60 physicians, and again the number of female graduates was about half that number. The school emphasized

hydropathy Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy and also called water cure, is a branch of alternative medicine (particularly naturopathy), occupational therapy, and physiotherapy, that involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment. The term ...

, also known as the "water cure," vegetarian dietary therapies, sanitation, hygiene, exercise, and abandoning most of the '' materia medica'' used by allopathic physicians. Founder Russell T. Trall was one of the first medical advocates of vegan nutrition The school moved to Florence, New Jersey by 1869 and continued in operation until 1875 when it was offered for sale. Trall died in 1877 and is buried in Florence, New Jersey.Online Books by R.T. Trall, University of Pennsylvania
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The Hygienic Institute

At the same address on Laight Street, Trall also operated The Hygienic Institute. In the 1860s E. P. Miller was its proprietor and resident physician, whilst Trall remained consulting physician. It's female physician was

Ellen Goodell Smith Ellen Goodell Smith (August 25, 1835 – November 3, 1906) was an American hydropathic physician, vegetarian and writer. Biography Smith was born at Dwight in Belchertown, Massachusetts.Anonymous. (1896)''Biographical Review: This Volume Conta ...

.Trall, R. T. (1864)
''Hand-Book of Hygienic Practice''
New York: Miller & Wood. In 1864, it was reported that the institute had treated more than 10, 000 patients.

References

{{coord, 40.7217, -74.0054, type:landmark_globe:earth_region:US-NY, display=title Educational institutions established in 1853 Embedded educational institutions Hydrotherapy Orthopathy Schools of medicine in New York City 1853 establishments in New York (state)